How ethics impact human rights

The purpose of this essay is to introduce the specific topic of Human Rights in the study of ethics.

Human rights are an integral element within the business environment. For one, globalization has created a much more interconnected society that requires a common set of standards among businesses. These minimum standards as they first even the playing field for businesses to operate. More importantly, these standards help to life the overall prosperity of those in the labor class. The benefits of shared prosperity will matriculate throughout society, improving the lives of all involved. Without human rights however, it is easy for businesses to exploit inefficiencies in the market overall. We have seen this with various international organizations, the profitability pressures have caused them to exploit the prevailing market conditions within a given jurisdiction. Through this effort to improve profitability and shareholder returns, these companies have essentially disregarding their domestic humans rights principles in favor of lower standards in foreign countries. To be fair, many of these instances are not illegal. Companies where often legally exploiting the laws and regulations within a developing economy. The most notorious example occurred with Nike and its exploitation of Asian women and children in its sweatshops. Here women and children would work tirelessly, nearly 16 hours a day, with very low pay in deplorable working conditions. These sweatshops where inhumane in their working conditions with little to no work breaks, employee insurance, healthcare or other benefits that many expect in developed nations. Even worse, many of the people working there where women and children who where subject to the overarching supervision of male leaders. These males tended to exploit their dominance over their women and children subordinates by physically and mentally abusing them as they worked long hours. Nike allowed this to occur as they leveraged the cheap labor to increaser their profitability and profit margins. This to many was a violation of basic human rights although the operations where completely legal in the countries in which this behavior occurred. Having a global standardized approach to human rights ultimately allows the working conditions for poor families to improve while also helping to level the overall economic playing field in which international businesses operate. Through improvement in labor practices all stakeholders including government, individuals, and businesses can benefit (Alston, 2014).

To begin labor is a very critical element within the overall global environment. Labor is the basic building block for overall societal prosperity. Labor allows individuals to exchange their time and skills for money. This money can then be used to purchase goods and services that ultimately improve the life of the individual. The benefit of this system is that consumers can choose the goods and services they would like to consume. Some for example, will take their earnings and save them for use during a future period. Others will invest the sums and take a risk to consumer more goods and services later. Still others will purchase cars, homes, boats, and other pleasures of life. The ability to consumer however is often predicated on labor. Through the exchange of time for money, societies overall become more productive. Here their labor force can produce more goods and services which can ultimately be consumed. This system ultimately benefits society through new products, individuals through wages, and government through an increase in the tax basis to provide additional services such as infrastructure or education. Due to its importance, labor therefore is a critical element with the human rights equation.

Historically, human rights laws against the exploitation of labor where scant. During the industrial revolution in the United States for example, children as young as 10 would work in coal plants, power plants and assembly lines. Likewise, the typical work week varied windily as many men would work upwards of 50 to 60 hours during a typical week. Failure to do so could potentially lead to termination of employment. Elements such as health insurance where just beginning to emerge in the employers benefit packages. Aspects such as 401K, maternity leave for men, or sabbaticals where non-existent. Likewise labor unions did not have much power to negotiate wages and benefits on behalf of their workers. I wasn’t until Teddy Roosevelts, “New Deal” shortly after the great depression that labor unions, negotiated contracts, insurance, short work weeks, and vacations became a standard option.

Ironically, the human rights violations that occurred during the industrial revolution are very similar to those occurring in China. As noted in the introduction, Nike was exploiting the use of labor from women and children much in the same manner America was just 5 decades earlier. Likewise, it was until an external catalyst emerged, that these practices changed. If not, many of the human rights violations that occurred in both America and China would likely persist today. Here, the importance of a standardized set of labor laws the help support human rights is important. Here, it will not allow actors such as Nike to exploit the rules to gain competitive advantage. It would also protect vulnerable populations such as women and children from being exploited in societies in which women have little to no authority.

From an ethical standpoint, human rights have many prominent benefits. The benefits to disenfranchised individuals was discussed in detail above. However, there are also benefit for businesses as well. For one, human rights don’t simply encapsulate the needs of human currently on earth, it also focuses on human not year born. Here, human rights depend heavily on having an habitable planet in which offspring can benefit from. Here, ESG standards are now being incorporated into human rights initiatives across the world. The environment is particularly important as unsustainable operations can ultimately bee to the detriment of civilization. Carbon emissions from coal power plants, gas powered cars, and deforestation are all human rights initiatives as they directly impact the wellbeing of future generations. Therefore business must recognize these benefits as they look to improve human rights standards around the world. For example, sustainable operations are a critical component to human rights. First it leaves future generation with enough natural resources to help support a growing population. Secondly, it provides economic prosperity to current society through clean and renewable energy. Finally, it reduces the worlds dependence on destructive programs and elements that can have adverse consequences for society. Using the Nike example again, their new business operations are much more environmentally friendly than those discussed above. The human rights practices toward child labor have been updated. Working conditions have been improve to provide employees with a sense of dignity during the workday. The company has also employed a more diverse array of women and minorities to help continue the improvements made over the prior years. Each of these initiatives are an improvement towards human rights that makes the business operations much more sustainable. Paying a livable wage, providing health insurance, and helping employees live a better life are basic human rights. Through proper advances of the rights discussed above, organization can set a standard that can be global model for companies operating overseas.